Peace Pipe

Hong Kong, March 30. It is in America’s interest to see China play a constructive role in Asia. Particularly on the Korean Peninsula, Palestine and Kashmir. The fact that Beijing hosted the separate talks between the two Koreas and those between North Korea and U.S. demonstrated Beijing’s keen interests in reducing danger in the peninsula and the region. The Beijing conference at the end of 2003 on how to get the Palestinian peace process back on track confirmed its commitment for regional peace and stability. Beijing has also shown its sincerity in cooling down the hostilities between its southern neighbors by holding a series of bilateral talks with both India and Pakistan.

India’s External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh flew to Beijing on the heels of his counterpart from Pakistan. China maintains a balanced relationship with both its neighbors by not siding with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

America needs China as a partner in Asia if it wants to ensure peace and stability in the region. America cannot go it alone or with Japan. North Korea has been corralled and broken into the New World Order because its reclusive leader Kim Jong-il is being coached by the Chinese leadership who have done much in encouraging him to meet Kim Dae Jung in Pyongyang-a stunning new millennium move. China is America’s logical and practical regional partner. Spin doctors cannot change this reality. Only its perception.

China does not have the ability to go head-to-head with the U.S. in a military confrontation. Moreover, there is strong belief among Chinese leaders that the key to being a great power is to have a world-class economy, which requires a stable environment. China knows well that conflict could jeopardize this growth and is to be avoided. Washington also realizes that it cannot ensure a desired outcome of Asia’s security problems without Beijing’s co-operation.